I’ve spent the last few days wrapped up in a blanket, mostly wanting to eat cereal and soup. JC and I were both sick, and spent some time vegging out in front of the computer and playing World of Warcraft. I’m still feeling that weird sick disconnected feeling but it’s getting better. The sickness combined with a slight dip in the weather has got me thinking of autumn and soup. Soup and autumn. From simple broth based noodle soups, to heavier lentil, sorghum, rice soups, we’ve been souping it. After I posted one of my cereal based breakfast lunches on instagram, a friend sent over a jar of homemade soup for my sick self to enjoy. Who says social media doesn’t work? (it wouldn’t be me by the way – I win with soup.) So what better than to talk about ten of my favourite vegan soups of all time on this wonderful day 18 of VeganMoFo? This isn’t a top ten list of course, because I can’t create a hierarchy of soup. I’m also including stews in this list. Let’s not argue. It’s better that way. Some of these I’ve made myself. Some of these I’ve eaten elsewhere. French Onion Soup Two Ways. Homemade, and at the Depanneur. This french onion soup from The Depanneur triggered my French Onion Soup obsession during last years’ VeganMoFo. And it continues to this day. I researched and read the history and the culture behind French Onion Soup, please imagine some kind of french…

I’ve had a great week, full of good news, and challenging projects, Valentine’s Day was lovely, and it’s a “short week” because this Monday was Family Day. I started writing this yesterday, but didn’t get around to doing anything with it until today. 1. Happy Toronto Cat Rescue Successful Adoption Story! This weekend we said our goodbyes to Corwin – the kitten we’d been fostering from Toronto Cat Rescue since mid January. He went to a lovely home, with two people and two new cat friends to play with. The last adoption didn’t feel as positive, and I promised JC that this one would be better, both from the feeling I got from the potential adopter over the phone, and because I planned to go out of my way to making it feel as positive as possible.

I’m continuing my love of The Depanneur (1033A College St.) Corner store by day, dinner establishment by (some evenings), brunch spot, commercial kitchen space, and all around nice stop in Dufferin Grove. We’ve gone several times in the last few months, once to Emily Z’s French Lentil Soup day, Kalmplex’s Hearty Jamaican Soup, Len’s made-vegan risotto and more. Every week or so, we get an email from them about the dinners that are happening. If you’re in Toronto, I’d recommend signing up for it, just in case any of the dishes tickle your fancy. Or connect with them on twitter or facebook, specials and events are posted on there too. There is nearly always something for everyone. It was Chef Emily Zimmerman’s turn again this week. She made these fabulous Okara “Crab” cakes. Okara – if you didn’t know – (I didn’t know) – is the flavourless textureful by-product of tofu making. Somehow this flavourless by-product of tofu making became this umamilicious crispy texture filled nugget of greatness. The nuggets had that perfect texture of crispy exterior, and a slightly dense but flaky interior that broke up the moment your tongue put a little extra pressure on it. I didn’t get a “seafood flavour” or “crab flavour” to it (in spite of two types of seaweed) which I’m happy with, but it was truly something spectacular. Add to that, these okara nuggets were put in an organic french-style roll, baked in-house by Sara Lapell (of Nice Buns), topped with a vegan remoulade, and…

Another day, another Friday night vegan drop-in dinner at the Depanneur (1033 College St, Toronto.) Last week’s drop-in dinner with Emily Z was reason enough to go for a second visit. This might turn into a thing, it seems to be heading in that direction.

I had vaguely known about the Rusholme Park Supper Club before last week, but I hadn’t checked them out. A friend from Saskatoon, my former Rosebud Burlesque instructor, and former Toronto resident connected me with a local veg foodie – Emily Z, and it seems she is often the vegan food chef extraordinaire at the supper club. The supper club isn’t all vegan all the time, but they do seem to alternate events. JC was especially excited about the BYOB. (okay, I’m a little excited too.) Supper club memberships cost $40 and include the cost of the meal. Memberships are only valid for one day so the way it works is that you “renew” your membership each time you attend the club. Nice huh?